Cratylus

What do words really mean? Are they arbitrary labels, or do they somehow capture the essence of the things they name? In the Cratylus, Plato takes up this timeless question through a lively dialogue between Socrates, the conventionalist Hermogenes, and the naturalist Cratylus. This new Modern Reader's Edition strips away the stiffness of old translations, offering the entire work in clear, flowing English that lets the argument shine. You'll follow Socrates as he probes the limits and powers of language, delivering whimsical etymologies, dissecting sound and meaning, and finally questioning whether words can ever give us direct knowledge of reality. The dialogue ends not with a simple answer, but with a challenge: to look beyond names to the things themselves. Whether you're a lifelong lover of philosophy or a first-time reader, this edition makes one of Plato's most original and provocative dialogues accessible and rewarding. Part of The Modern Wisdom Library.